Investigation on the growth parameters for Libyan wild truffles

Zohur Elfallah, Hamida B. Mirwan, Hisham Nagi El Waer, Seema R. Bajaj, Salem Shamekh

Libya, desert truffle, Terfezia, Helianthemum

Desert truffles have been used as a substitute for meat in Libyan meals, recently exported to some Arab Gulf countries, but they depend entirely on wild truffles. A few truffle ascocarps have been harvested intermittently since the early nineties from the forest belonging to Experimental and Research Stations at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. This study aimed to identify the environmental and ecological factors that promote (stimulate) the natural growth of Libyan truffles. The study was conducted at the Experimental and Research Stations of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya. This is the first scientific study that has been performed to determine growth promotion criteria for Tierfezia at the Research Station. Soil and plant samples were collected during September 2021. Soil samples were analyzed to estimate the physical properties and associated plants were identified. The results showed that the harvested truffle ascocarps grow in sandy soil with pH 8, high porosity (50.4), and electrical conductivity (2 mm hos/cm at room temperature). Helianthiamum spp. was identified alongside harvested truffles indicating their possible symbiotic association.

https://dx.doi.org/10.31873/IJEAS.8.12.01